The Queen’s Gambit

Details

Photo

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Name

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Author

Walter Tevis

Year

1983

Genre

Fiction · Coming-of-age

Key themes

Addiction, genius, loneliness, competition

Sports adjacent

Yes, if you accept that chess has more film on you than any defensive coordinator.

Bathtub commitment

Medium soak with a strong finish you’ll accidentally read on the couch in a damp towel.

My take

Reads fast but hits slow. Also a good reminder that prodigies and rookies alike need sleep, hydration, and someone to take the bottle away.

Best read during

A quiet Saturday when your roommates are at the game and you’d rather diagram boards than coverages.